MSA Curriculum

The MSA program comprises a number of modules, designed and delivered in a flexible, integrated manner that attempts to present the right material at the right time while creating a seamless ‘learning narrative’ for students:

Foundations of Strategy

Analytical and Critical Thinking

The Analytical Organization

Probability and Statistics Overview

Linear Algebra Overview

Project Management

Consultative Problem Solving

Communications Skills

Research Methods

Data Management and Exploration

Data Programming

Data Management

Exploratory Data Analysis

Data Visualization

Business Intelligence and Reporting

Analytical Methods

Concepts in Modeling

Decision Models

Statistical Modeling

Machine Learning

Time Series and Forecasting

Text Analytics

Optimization and Simulation

Graph and Network Analysis

Analytical Applications

Marketing Analytics

Financial/Risk Analytics

In additional to the core modules, a number of guest lectures from industry and academic partners serve to integrate the material and illustrate how analytical capabilities are currently being harnessed within sophisticated organizations.

Internship

A core feature of the MSA is exposure of its students to hands-on experience with current, real world analytical challenges. To this end, an eight-week guided internship is an integral component of the program. Internship opportunities with partnering organizations are carefully selected to provide our students access to meaningful analytical challenges, complex data sets, connections within local industry, and professional skills development.

Capstone

In addition to offering the MSA degree, the Institute for Advanced Analytics is an internal consulting arm of Bellarmine University, assisting the larger organization in its use of analytics to improve its processes and outcomes. Leveraging this relationship, a final integrating component of the MSA curriculum will have the students complete a consultative analytical project for the university. While the primary purpose of this exercise is pedagogical, the opportunity exists to make a meaningful contribution to the university’s operations.